UCF Falls against No. 14 FIU, 2-1

September 29, 2015
Sept. 29, 2015

Final Stats


UCF-FIU 9-29-15 - Images by UCF Knights

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Senior forward Hadji Barry brought UCF even 1-1 in the 66th minute Tuesday night, but Luis Betancur tallied the game-winning goal on a rebound in the 77th minute for No. 14 FIU at the UCF Soccer Complex.

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"We came out from the opening kickoff and were very aggressive and proactive, which is what we discussed before the match," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "I thought their goalkeeper in the first half was exceptional, but both teams had their chances."

BARRY'S EQUALIZER
- After FIU took the 1-0 lead in the 59th minute, the Knights responded with the equalizer seven minutes later.
- Senior Javier Clavijo sent a ball towards the left corner for sophomore David Raizes, who crossed it towards the goal.
- Barry was inside the 6-yard box to draw UCF even.
- It was the team-leading fifth goal of the season for the Brooklyn, N.Y., native.
- Clavijo recorded his first-career assist on the marker.

"It was ironic that on a play two minutes before Hadji could have scored had he made the run," Cunningham said. "On the one he scored, I was yelling from the sidelines for him to believe in the fact that David [Raizes] was going to get the cross off. He took off and finished a great goal."

PANTHER STRIKES
- Santiago Patino opened the scoring in the 59th minute on a perfect shot off the near post and in from 25-yards out from a pass by Daniel Gonzalez.
- The lead up to the go-ahead marker was set up by a shot from the right wing off the foot of Jamar Campion-Hinds before Betancur scored on the rebound.

"It was unfortunate to give up the go-ahead goal against the run of play, but I give our guys a lot of credit," Cunningham said. "We kept battling back and did things the way they were supposed to."

FURIOUS START
- Barry was inches from opening the scoring in the first minute, but the keeper made the stop near the right post.
- The play continued and freshman Juan Gamino had an opportunity before his shot was blocked away by a defender.
- The Knights earned a dangerous free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the third minute. The shot by freshman Jakov Basic was just-barely saved by the out-stretch hand of the keeper.

"There have been peaks and valleys for us so far this year," Cunnningham said. "I see us getting better and some players are fixing things that they have done wrong. As long as we keep moving forward, I think that we will be alright heading further into the conference season."

NEXT UP
- UCF steps back into American Athletic Conference action on Friday at SMU with the start set for 8 p.m. ET.
- The Knights return to the UCF Soccer Complex on Oct. 7 against Temple at 7 p.m.
- The Oct. 10 match against Tulsa has been set for 1 p.m. before the UCF football game vs. UConn at 3:45 p.m.

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